Friends star Matthew Perry died three years ago, leaving fans around the world devastated. His passing shocked the entertainment industry, and his co-stars from the beloved sitcom attended his funeral to say their final goodbyes. Now, in a new documentary about the actor, his sister Mia has revealed the emotional final gesture Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer made beside his coffin.
In late October 2023, news of Matthew Perry’s death left the world heartbroken. The actor, best known for playing Chandler Bing on Friends, was found dead in an apparent drowning at his Los Angeles home on October 28. He was just 54 years old.
In December, medical officials confirmed that Perry’s death was an accident caused by the “acute effects of ketamine.”
The actor had struggled with addiction for many years before his death. His passing prompted an outpouring of sadness from fans, former colleagues, and friends, with many remembering his talent and the laughter he brought to millions of viewers.
His Friends co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer also released a joint statement expressing their grief.
“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates, we are a family,” the statement read.
“There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”
Perry’s funeral took place in Los Angeles, where his closest family members and friends gathered for a private ceremony. He was later laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles, California.
New Netflix Documentary About ‘Friends’ Star Matthew Perry
A new documentary has now offered a more personal look at the late actor’s life and struggles.
The One About Matthew Perry premiered on Netflix on Tuesday, October 27. It features emotional accounts from people who knew Perry personally, including longtime friends Roger Castillo and David Pressman, alongside several other contributors.
The documentary also includes an appearance by Perry’s sister, Mia Perry Bowick, who wanted viewers to understand another side of her brother beyond his famous television character.
Bowick shared details about Perry’s long struggle to overcome addiction, revealing that he had spent approximately $7 million trying to get sober.
She also spoke about the close relationship between Matthew and his Friends co-stars. According to Mia, her brother saw many similarities between himself and Chandler Bing. Both often relied on humor to hide their unhappiness.
The five surviving Friends stars, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, and Lisa Kudrow, all attended Perry’s private funeral in November 2023.
“I remember sitting in the front row with our family and seeing his mom and all the other siblings,” Mia Perry Bowick said. “And then the rest of the Friends cast all walked in together.”
Matthew Perry’s Sister Shares How ‘Friends’ Cast Said Their Final Goodbye
Mia continued by describing how the actors approached her after arriving at the funeral.
“I hadn’t seen them in easily 20 years. And Jen Aniston was the first one of them to come up to me and give me a huge hug, but they all did.”
She then recalled an especially emotional moment involving Perry’s former co-stars as they gathered around his coffin.
“All five of them walked up to the casket holding hands, and just stood around him, crying,” Bowick said.
The moment offered a glimpse of the deep bond the cast had maintained beyond their years working together on the hit sitcom.
Elsewhere in the Netflix documentary, Perry’s sister revealed that something unexpected happened during the funeral service. Despite the sadness surrounding the occasion, she suddenly found herself laughing.
She explained that she felt her brother’s presence beside her.
“He showed up right behind my right shoulder and goes, ‘How f**ked up is this?’ And I started laughing so hard. I was like, ‘Oh my god – there he is!’” she recalled.
For Mia, the moment felt like a reminder of her brother’s familiar sense of humor, even during one of the most painful days of her life.
Matthew Perry may be gone, but his unforgettable performance as Chandler Bing and the memories he created with his co-stars continue to hold a special place in the hearts of Friends fans.
Rest in peace, Matthew Perry.
Who was your favorite Friends character? Share your thoughts in the comments.
